HEART OF GOALS
Record scorer Robbo and all-time appearance holder Gary convinced Shanks is new king of the castle
ONE is Hearts’ record goalscorer. The other is the club’s record appearance holder.
So when John Robertson and Gary Mackay both declare that a new hero has arrived at the Jambos, then it’s as sure as the whiff of roasted malt in the Gorgie air that something special is brewing.
Lawrence Shankland is the man with the golden touch around Tynecastle right now.
A shoot-on-sight policy that was the trademark of Robertson’s remarkable 311-goal career in maroon has taken the 27-yearold on to the 20 mark in just 32 appearances.
That a fifth of those strikes have come in just three games against their arch-rivals could even see him assume his elder’s moniker as the Hammer of Hibs.
Robertson reckons Shankland fits Hearts’ attacking needs like a glove. When he watches him he sees a natural born finisher. And he should know.
A thunderous volley after 72 minutes in Sunday’s 3-0 derby drubbing ensured the Scotland striker became the first Jambo since Robbo in 1992 to break the 20 barrier in one season.
But the man who holds all the goal records down Gorgie way reckons the summer signing is set to eclipse even his best season by roaring past the 31 mark.
Robertson said: “For Lawrence to hit the 20 mark before the end of January is fantastic.
“I honestly believe he will get 30-plus in his first season with the club.
“I hope all my records are broken because it’s not something I’m precious about. “Some players are just a perfect fit for a club and he is just that for Hearts.
“I still believe strikers are born, not made. You are born with this natural instinct to score goals.
“Lawrence has that instinct. When a striker gets into that mode, it’s a different mindset.
“The league target is to start closing the gap to Celtic and Rangers above them.
“Their aim will be to finish third and try to get closer. This is as strong a squad as I’ve seen at Tynecastle for a long time and Lawrence is at the heart of it.”
Robertson’s Jambos Hall of Fame colleague Mackay, who made 640 appearances between 1980 and 1997, agrees.
The former skipper saw first hand how Robertson blasted his way to Hearts legend status aided by a deadly right foot and an immovable backside.
And he’s not speaking out his bahookie when he predicts Shankland can take his side on to a new level.
When Robertson hit 20 goals in 1991-92 Hearts split the Old Firm by finishing second behind Rangers. And when he hit 31 in 1987-88 it again helped the Jambos come in between the Glasgow giants as Celtic were crowned champions.
It might be a tall order to claw back a 14-point gap to second place. But Mackay said: “This side driven on by Lawrence’s goals is just getting better and better. I think going forward that the squad being built by Joe Savage and the management team have to start looking up the league.
“If you finish third two years running you need to look to make progress. And having listened to
I hope all my records are broken... it’s not something that I’m precious about JOHN ROBERTSON URGES ON LAWRENCE SHANKLAND
Joe recently that’s definitely his thought process and ambition.”
Mackay was in the away end at Easter Road on Sunday just yards from where Shankland blasted the killer second goal.
It was an early birthday present for the former captain who turned 59 yesterday and gift-wrapped another derby demolition as Robbie Neilson’s side made it nine matches unbeaten.
Mackay insists there are more similarities between Shanks and Robbo than many would realise.
He said: “Sometimes people thought Robbo was only about goals. But it shouldn’t be underestimated how good he was around about the box.
“His touch and the way he used that a*** of his to fend people off! He was so good at that. Shankland does it slightly differently, he has a bigger frame, but he holds it in well too.
“So there’s more similarities about them that I realised.
“The goal Shankland scored on Sunday was exquisite and was just like a Robbo hit. When there was an opening like that 99 times out of 100 he would hit the target.
“They both have that incredible desire to hit between the posts and at least work the goalie.
“Can Shankland get to 30? On this form then I don’t see why not. “I’ve heard folk say so many of his goals are penalties. Well, so what? It’s an art form scoring penalties. “How many moves has he been involved in winning the penalty and then he has the cool head to go and slot it away. Penalties are devalued a bit, but not for me. “You can’t put a value on someone like Shankland. But from a Hearts perspective it would be great to keep him. “As always it’s all about appreciating what you have when you have it and I know Hearts fans do. “He is crucial to the club and hopefully that’s the case for years to come.”